Mumbai: Dhanteras marks the auspicious start of Diwali, the five-day festival of lights, and is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India. This year, Dhanteras falls on Tuesday, 29 October 2024, and as tradition goes, it’s the perfect time to bring something new and special into your home. People often flock to markets on this day, purchasing gold, silver, utensils, and other symbolic items believed to welcome prosperity and health.
If you’re unsure about what to buy this Dhanteras, or are looking for meaningful alternatives, here’s a guide to help you make choices that align with both tradition and convenience.
What to buy on Dhanteras?
Dhanteras has a deep-rooted cultural significance in India. On this day, it’s customary to bring new items into the home to invite the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity. This day also involves the worship of Lord Dhanvantari, the god of health and medicine, and Lord Kubera, the god of wealth. Traditionally, families buy items that hold auspicious significance to kick off the Diwali festivities on a positive and prosperous note.
1. Traditional Purchases: Gold and Silver
Gold and silver are top choices for Dhanteras shopping due to their auspicious associations with wealth, health, and divine energy. If budget allows, these metals are ideal purchases as they symbolize long-lasting prosperity.
2. Alternative Options to Gold and Silver on Dhanteras
If buying gold or silver isn’t practical, don’t worry; there are many other meaningful items to bring into your home that are believed to attract good fortune.
Steel or Copper Utensils
Steel and copper utensils are excellent alternatives to gold and silver. According to tradition, purchasing these on Dhanteras invites Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings. You can buy practical items like kitchen utensils, containers, or bowls, which serve both a spiritual and functional purpose.
Broom
Buying a new broom on Dhanteras has become a popular trend. In Hindu culture, it’s believed that Goddess Lakshmi favours cleanliness and order, and a new broom symbolises sweeping out old energy and making space for new blessings.
Coriander Seeds or Salt
In some parts of India, it’s also considered auspicious to buy coriander seeds or salt. Coriander seeds symbolise abundance, while salt is believed to purify and invite positivity into the home. These items are often stored in the kitchen to bring balance and energy into daily routines.
Idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha
Purchasing idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha on Dhanteras is a highly recommended tradition. This purchase is symbolic of inviting prosperity, wisdom, and peace into the home. Many families choose to bring new idols specifically for Diwali, placing them on their altars to be worshipped throughout the festival.
New Clothes
It’s common for people to buy new clothes on Dhanteras, intending to wear them during Diwali celebrations. This symbolizes freshness and the start of a prosperous new cycle, as well as honouring Goddess Lakshmi through new attire.
What not to buy on Dhanteras?
While Dhanteras is an auspicious day for shopping, there are a few items best avoided due to cultural beliefs and astrological implications:
- Glassware: Glass is associated with the planet Rahu, which is often linked with negative energies. Avoid purchasing glassware to maintain a positive and balanced energy.
- Plastic Items: Plastic items, although practical, are generally discouraged on Dhanteras. The tradition leans towards items that symbolise durability and purity, which plastic does not.
- Aluminium Products: Similarly, aluminium is considered inauspicious on Dhanteras as it is also associated with Rahu and could potentially counteract positive energies.
Dhanteras Shopping Checklist
Here’s a quick reference for your Dhanteras shopping, covering all the essentials and highlighting what to avoid:
|
Item |
Why Buy It? |
Alternatives |
| Gold and Silver | Traditional, symbolises wealth | Steel, copper |
| Steel or Copper Utensils | Invites Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings | – |
| Broom | Symbolises cleanliness, order | – |
| Coriander Seeds, Salt | Purity and abundance | – |
| Lakshmi-Ganesh Idols | Removes obstacles, brings blessings | – |
| New Clothes | Fresh start, worn during Diwali Puja | – |
Avoid: Glassware, Plastic Items, Aluminum Products
A Thoughtful Approach to Dhanteras Shopping
Dhanteras is a beautiful opportunity to bring positivity into your home and set a tone of prosperity for the coming year. Whether you go for gold or opt for practical alternatives like steel utensils or a new broom, each item has the potential to invite blessings and new energy into your life.
So as you make your way through the bustling markets this Dhanteras, remember to choose items that truly resonate with you and carry a sense of prosperity into your home. Here’s wishing you a joyous and blessed start to the Diwali festivities!
